Lucca Benetton
Strong in possession, commanding in his area and assured in one-versus-one situations, Lucca Benetton capped a breakthrough 2025/26 season by saving the decisive penalty in Crystal Palace's first-ever Premier League Cup triumph.
LuccaBenetton
GK
Date of Birth
08.08.1008 August 2010
Country
GBEnglandJoined Team
28.11.2528 November 2025
All time
Palace career
15
Appearances
2
Clean sheets
Benetton's footballing journey began at Windsor FC, where he initially played across the backline before discovering a passion for ‘keeping.
While splitting his time between Slough Town and Palace at Under-11 level, he regularly alternated between defensive midfield and in goal before committing fully to life between the posts a year later.
His development accelerated quickly. Signed by Palace from London Elite and Elite Academy without the need for a trial, Benetton immediately impressed and continued to challenge himself above his age group.
One early highlight came as an Under-14, when he saved a penalty on his Floodlit Cup debut against Reading's Under-15s.
The ‘keeper's progress soon earned national recognition. He received his first England call-up midway through his U15 season and made his debut in a 2-1 victory over Japan.
Since then, he has represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level, while also earning an invitation to England Men's Goalkeeping Camp at St George's Park alongside some of the country's most highly rated young ‘keepers.
Benetton's development has also been recognised at club level through regular opportunities to train with Palace's senior ‘keepers.
“Being with the first team is always a great experience,” he said. “It’s very different to the Academy – the preparation, the detail, how thorough everything is. You learn a lot just by being around them and talking to the senior players.”
Still only 15, Benetton established himself as Palace Under-18s’ first-choice ’keeper during the second half of the 25/26 campaign. After making his debut against Norwich City before Christmas, he went on to make 15 appearances across league and cup competitions, including starts in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final and semi-final and the Premier League Cup Final.
He saved his biggest moment for the latter, producing a decisive stop in the shootout victory over Manchester United to help Palace lift the trophy.
That summer, Benetton put pen to paper on his scholarship, before travelling to the Como Cup with the first team at just 15 and has since trained regularly under Pierre Sage. He was also named on the bench for Palace’s maiden UEFA Europa League fixture against Lech Poznań.
His rapid rise over the past 12 months – at both club and international level – has marked him out as one of the most exciting young ’keepers in the country.
Player Statistics2026/27
0
5
Player StatisticsCareer
2
15
Season by season
Season
Games
Clean sheets
Crystal Palace U18
26/27
5
0
Crystal Palace U18
25/26
10
2